Scholarship for student Funding of $20,000 to help with studies Dancers to weave magic

MOSSMAN State High School student Keanie Ireson has won a $20,000 Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship to help continue her studies.

She was among nearly 60 promising female students in Queensland public schools to be selected for Harding Miller scholarships.

The scholarships provide each recipient with more than $20,000 worth of assistance over four years.

More than 700 year 9 students applied for the scholarships this year, which are for young women who are passionate about their studies, but who may lack opportunities to achieve their academic potential and dreams.

Through the scholarships, girls are supported in a variety of practical ways, including with equipment, computers, internet connections, textbooks, tutoring and coaching, which they may otherwise not have access to.

Ms Ireson said the scholarships would help her overcome potential obstacles to her future academic pursuits.

“The Harding Miller Scholarship will provide help for me in a variety of ways. I do not own my own computer and we live off the grid, so it is difficult to complete homework and study at home,” she said. “The tutoring would help me to keep my grades up and supply me with extra help for necessary subjects.

“The career enrichment opportunities provided by this scholarship would help me to decide on a career that suits me.” Harding Miller Foundation executive director Cara Varian said the scholarship recipients had high academic potential.

“They are talented and dedicated, but they simply do not currently have access to the resources that they need to make the most of their education opportunities,” she said.

“Girls are more likely to complete high school and go on to pursue further education when they are supported with equipment, money for resources, tutoring and coaching, and that’s the type of support we are providing to these students.

“We want to support these high-potential young women to stay in school and to have the option going to university.

“We get satellites installed in homes to make sure that the kids can get access to the internet. We supply noise-cancelling headphones if they don’t have a dedicated study space. We send out supermarket gift cards if families are having trouble with the groceries.

“These are tangible, practical things which we can do to give young women a hand to complete their schooling and fulfil their potential.” l CAIRNS CBD

YOUNG and talented sibling duo, Mykelle and Jaydn Bingarape, have been selected to choreograph Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s 2023-decade anniversary fashion performance of Woven.

The alumni of Cairns-based First Nations dance company Miriki Performing Arts creative development also includes training with London’s Royal Ballet, the Australian Ballet, and Queensland Ballet, as well as NAISDA Dance College in NSW.

According to the duo, one of their most powerful and pivotal experiences were during their teenage years in Cairns when they travelled to California to perform in the Miriki Performing Arts production of Bayal Kaymanen (dancing smoke).

The duo said they would imbibe CIAF’s 2023 fashion performance, Woven, with references to Country, connection, lores and practices for a culturally powerful performance that was destined to “move and engage” audiences while showcasing the collections of 15 Queensland First Nations designers.

CIAF artistic director Francoise Lane said the Bingarapes’ journey was “a beautiful story related to generational, cross-cultural learnings”. “It is so very special and meaningful that CIAF exists and can leverage its platform in this way,” she said.

“We acknowledge that our position in being able to provide opportunities for young and emerging talent across performing and visual arts is a real gift.

“The fashion performance is one of those wonderfully multi-layered and intimate events that the audience will interpret on their own terms and differently.

“I so warmly welcome Mykelle and Jaydn into our CIAF team and what will no doubt be a positive and lifechanging experience,” Ms Lane said.